Sea Dogs crush Eagles; Cape Breton on the brink

The Saint John Sea Dogs are on the verge of advancing to the second round of the Quebec League playoffs after hammering Cape Breton, 8-2, in Sydney.

Danick Gauthier and Charlie Coyle each scored twice while Kevin Gagne, Tomas Jurco, Jonathan Huberdeau and Ryan Tesink added one each.

Half of the team's goals came in the opening 5:01 of the first period.

Mathieu Corbeil got the win in goal with 27 saves.

The Sea Dogs carry a 3-0 series lead into Game 4 Wednesday at Centre 200.

If Saint John completes the sweep, it would be the second straight year the Sea Dogs will have eliminated the Eagles in four games.

NOTES: Sea Dog scratches were Maxime Villemaire (right knee injury), Devon Oliver-Dares (broken collarbone), Grant West (flu), Spencer MacDonald (right bicep strain), and Ian Saab (suspended). Dylan McGuigan dressed for his first ever QMJHL playoff game in place of West, registering one shot on goal and three hits. Jordan Moore dressed for his second straight game in place of MacDonald, who took part in the team’s morning skate, but was not ready to play. Coyle’s eight goals are a new Sea Dog single series record.

Three Stars: 1. Gauthier (SJ) 2. Coyle (SJ) 3. Carrier (CB) Top Dog: Jurco

Visit the News 88.9 Sea Dogs Blog to Tim Roszell's calls for all eight of the Sea Dogs goals last night.

Award nominees for QMJHL Golden Puck Awards announced

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announded it's nominees for the Golden Puck Awards, to be held in Montreal next month.

Gerard Gallant, coach of the regular season champion Saint Joh Sea Dogs, joins Patrick Roy of the Quebec Remparts & Jean-Francois Houle of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada were nominated for coach of the year.

Shawinigan Cataractes' Morgan Ellis, Sea Dogs' Pierre Durepos & Remparts' Martin Lefebvre were all nominated for best defensive defensemen.

Ben Duffy of the P.E.I. Rocket, Zach O'Brien & Sebastien Trudeau, both of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan were voted as finalists for sportsman of the year.

O'Brien, who finished his fourth year with the Titan, has yet to record a single penalty minute in the league.

Rookie of year nominees are François Brassard, Anthony Duclair and Mikhail Grigorenko, all of the Remparts, Zachary Fucale and Nathan MacKinnon of the Halifax Mooseheads and Brandon Whitney of the Victoriaville Tigres.

Yanni Gourde of the Tigres, Grigorenko & O'Brien are the nominees for the League MVP.

jonathan@theqspot.ca

Mooseads finish off Rocket with impressive win

Ryan Falkenham's first period goal proved to be the winner in a 6-1 Halifax Mooseheads win over the P.E.I. Rocket Sunday afternoon at the Charlottetown Civic Centre.

With the loss, the Rocket finish the season with a 19-43-2-4, last in the league.

P.E.I. native Cameron Critchlow (1-1) led the way for Halifax. Josh Currie scored the lone goal for the Rocket.

The game remained scoreless until Andrew Ryan opened the scoring for the Mooseheads 17:42 into the first period. Falkenham then made it 2-0 with a nice shot from the slot at 18:19.

The Mooseheads continued to play well in the second period. Brent Andrews opened the scoring at 3:39 to give Halifax a 3-0 lead, before Alexandre Grenier made it 4-0 at 9:21.

Nathan MacKinnon gave Halifax a 5-0 lead at 6:47 of the third and Critchlow made it 6-0 at the 9:28 mark of the third. Currie replied for P.E.I. at 18:39, making it 6-1.

Antoine Bibeau made 27 saves for P.E.I.

Mooseheads goaltender Zachary Fucale made 36 saves.

jonathan@theqspot.ca

Q hands down two suspensions

The disciplinary prefect of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has handed suspension to a player and a coach, the league announced today.

Gatineau Olympiques head coach Benoit Groulx has been suspended two games and fined $1,000.

The suspension and fine were handed out after Groulx's inappropriate behavior during a game against Blainville-Boisbriand on March 14, 2012.

Ian Saab of the Saint John Sea Dogs has been suspended eight games for a high sticking incident which occurred March 11, 2012 against the Shawinigan Cataractes.

Here is the rational that led to the decision:

-The player at fault (Saab) left his blue line and headed towards his opponent.
-The opponent raised his arm up to the plexus of the offending player.
-The offending player (Saab) then forcefully hit his opponent in the face with his stick and glove and hit him on the head a second time with his glove.
-It was not Saab's first offence
-The opponent was injured.

nolan@theqspot.ca

Sea Dogs clinch first overall for the third consecutive season

For the third straight year, the Saint John Sea Dogs have been crowned the regular season champions after their 6-1 win over the Halifax Mooseheads Wednesday night at the Halifax Metro Centre.

The Sea Dogs have posted a 48-15-0-3 record for 99 points this season, with two games left. They have the chance to end the season with 103 points if they win their final games of the season.

Saint John holds a four-point lead over the Memorial Cup hosts Shawinigan Cataractes who can at best, finish with 99 points if they too win their final two games of the season,

Jonathan Huberdeau (1-2), Danick Gauthier (1-2), Charlie Coyle (1-1) and Ryan Tesink (2) all registered multi-point performances on the night. Grant West chipped in with another goal for the Sea Dogs.

Alexandre Grenier had the lone goal for the Mooseheads.

Mathieu Corbeil made 17 saves in the win for the Sea Dogs.

Zachery Fucale made 33 saves and Marc-Olivier Daigle allowed a goal on six shots.

It is likely the Sea Dogs will the play the 16th-seeded Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the first round of the playoffs.

nolan@theqspot.ca

Drakkar fire head coach Pouliot

The Baie-Comeau Drakkar have fired head coach Mario Pouliot, the team's general manager Steve Ahern announced today at a press conference.

Ahern will take over as the team's bench boss for the remaining three games of the season and playoffs.

In a team press release, Ahern said the team's assessment 10 days before the playoffs left the team with little hope of improvement.

"It's a very difficult decision to make for our organization. We gave the necessary support to Mario and we have supported in his work since joining the team in November 2010."

Ahern added that Pouliot worked with great enthusiasm and professionalism.

"However, in the circumstances, we must restore hope and try to allow the club and its players to regain positive momentum, which no longer possible to feel these days."

Pouliot spent a season and half behind the bench for Baie-Comeau, coaching the Drakkar to a 37-77 record for 87 points in 114. games.

Ahern said he does not want a coaching career but is doing what is good for the team, he said.

"I will finish the campaign and we will settle it all later and enjoy the off-season to recruit a new head coach."

His goal is to regain the team's confidence and play to their full potential, said Ahern.

"We believe the team can play with much more conviction and unity. This will meet the players and they will have the flexibility to gather and grow together in the same direction."

The Drakkar went 2-7-0-1 in its last 10 games, falling from ninth overall to 14th overall.

See the press release here.
Translated version here.

nolan@theqspot.ca

Ouellet, Bouvet-Morrissette and Zlobin named Telus three stars of the week

Xavier Ouellet, Andre Bouvet-Morrissette and Anton Zlobin were named the Telus three stars of the week on Monday night by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The week is the period spanning from March 5 to March 11, 2012.

Blainville-Boisbriand Armada defenceman Xavier Ouellet is the week's first-star after collecting four points in three games.

The 18-year-old Detroit Red Wings prospect collected a goal in a 4-3 win over Victoriaville on Wednesday. On Friday, the Terrebonne, Que. native collected two assists in a 5-0 win over the Rouyn-Noranada Huskies. Lastly, on Saturday, Ouellet recorded a goal in a 4-2 win over Rimouski.

The Armada captain has 21 goals and 58 points in 61 games this season.

The second star of the week is Drummondville Voltigeurs forward Andre Bouvet-Morrissette after collecting four goals and six points.

On Wednesday in a 7-3 loss to Quebec, the 20-year-old scored a pair of goals. On Friday, he added a goal in a 3-1 win. Then, on Saturday he added a goal and a pair of assists in a 6-1 win over the Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

The Becancour, Que. native is in his overage season in the Q and has 39 goals and 71 points in 61 games.

Last but not least, Shawinigan Cataractes forward Anton Zlobin was named the third-star of the week.

The 18-year-old Russian collected three goals and six points in two games.

On Thursday in a 4-2 win over the Huskies, Zlobin had a goal. On Sunday against the No. 1 ranked Saint John Sea Dogs, Zlobin scored a pair of goals and added three assists.

Zlobin is draft eligible for the upcoming 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He has 39 goals and 74 points in 64 games this season.

nolan@theqspot.ca

Steve's 2012 QMJHL Mock Draft

These selections are not based on team needs (necessarily), but more based on where various scouts that I have spoken to think these players will go.

1. Daniel Audette—F—Phenix 5’07/158 22 14 21 35
2. Matthew Highmore—F—Dartmouth 5’11/160 07 02 04 06
3. Loik Leveille—D—Vikings 5’10/191 23 07 14 21
4. Duncan Macintyre—D—ND Argos 5’11/185 18 00 05 05
5. Raphael Maheux—D—Ulysse PrepU19 6’00/180 00 00 00 00
6. Alexander Carrier—D—Antoine-Girouard 5’09/000 24 04 17 21
7. Zach Moody—F—Valley Wildcats 5’11/140 17 08 12 20
8. Cody Donaghey—D—St John’s Leafs 6’00/173 12 05 07 12
9. Clark Bishop—F—St John’s Privateers 5’10/151 13 12 13 25
10. Julio Billia—G—Montreal 5’10/151 04 05 2.76 .909
11. Kameron Kielly—F—Charlottetown 5’11/175 15 09 12 21
12. Alex Gallant—F—Charlottetown 6’00/168 15 12 14 26
13. Mason MacDonald—G—Halifax Titans 6’00/145 06 00 2.07 .910
14. Kevin Bouchard—G—Jonquire 6’02/204 02 05 3.00 .870
15. Lucas Batt—F—ND Argos 5’11/167 17 09 08 17
16. Mathieu Ayotte—Antoine-Girouard 5’08/140 24 12 12 24
17. Cody Bean—F—Bishop's College School 5’09/170 22 16 15 31
18. Matthew Cusson—F—Lac St Louis 5’11/180 22 04 06 10


There is a chance that some of these players would not report if these teams drafted them.

Preview: Rocket vs Screaming Eagles

The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles take on the P.E.I. Rocket tonight at Center 200 in Sydney, N.S.

With a victory, the Eagles can clinch the 16th and final playoff spot in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The Eagles posted this photo on there Facebook page this morning:

2012 QMJHL Mock Draft (2nd & 3rd Round)

These selections are not necessarily based on each teams current needs, but mostly based on where various scouts that Jonathan and I have spoken to think these players will go.

Second Round:

20. Joshua Pugsley—F—Truro 5’08/135 32 23 22 45
21. David Grimaldi—G—Milles Iles 5’11/160 10 03 1.96
22. Alexis Pepin—F—CCL AAA 6’01/184 13 09 03 12
23. Mathieu Poulin—D—Filons Abiti Espoir 5’11/178 35 02 10 12
24. Francis Ouellet—F—Quebec Citadelles 0’00/000 30 32 28 60
25. Alexandre Delisle-Houde—F—Quebec Cit 0’00/000 32 22 44 66
26. Morgan Messenger—F—Western 5’10/157 31 31 17 48
27. Cedric Lachapelle—F—Filons Abiti Espoir 5’11/152 37 07 14 21
28. Guilllaume Villeneuve—G—Conquest 5’09/140 09 03 2.60
29. Sauel Levac—F—Etoiles de Beauval 5’10/155 26 22 09 31
30. Guillaume McSween—D—Etoiles de Bea 6’03/190 28 04 11 15
31. William Langlais—D—Mustang Espoir 5’09/164 24 01 06 07
32. Jonathan Desbiens—F—Mille-Iles 5’07/130 28 27 13 40
33. Kyle Tibbo—Forward—Tripen Bantam 5’07/169 00 00 00 00
34. Denver Lynds—Forward—Harrington 0’00/000 21 15 13 28
35. Lawrence Lyver—D—Cole Harbor Bantam 5’11/165 29 09 08 17
36. Clark Bishop—Forward—St John’s Bantam 5’09/145 00 00 00 00


Third Round:

37. Olivier Gendron—F—Harrington 0’00/000 25 17 19 36
38. Mason MacDonald—G—Halifax Hawks 6’00/145 09 01 2.15
39. Anthony-John Greer—F—Pionniers 1 6’00/160 27 19 08 27
40. Pascal Beaulieu—D—Harfangs Juvenile AAA 5’11/148 14 00 02 02
41. Samuel Castonguay—F—Mirimachi Midget 5’08/140 30 08 13 21
42. Mark Jollimore—D—South Shore Bantam 5’08/157 30 04 31 35
43. Nick Gibson—D—Bubba Rays 5’10/170 25 03 17 20
44. Felix-Nicolas Gendron—F—TGV Pentag 5’07/152 28 23 29 52
45. Samuel Blais—F—Express Riv-Nord 5’06/140 35 26 25 51
46. Chad Bean—F—BCS 5’08/150 25 10 20 30
47. Logan Macmanaman—D—Harrington 0’00/000 24 05 08 13
48. Olivier Ravary—G—Selects Nord 2 5’11/140 06 06 2.25
49. Nathan Yetman—F—St John’s 5’08/165 28 08 15 23
50. Patrick Normandeau—D—Notre Dame 0’00/000 17 02 15 17
51. Alexandre Leblanc—D—Senaters 0’00/000 25 08 09 17

There are still chances that some of these players don't make it to camp but these are just assumptions. Now not all these are players that are currently playing in Midget AAA but also prep school.

Also, check out Jonathan's First round mock draft!

Three Q teams make BMO Top 10 Rankings

Three Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams have made the cut for the BMO MasterCard Top 10 Rankings the CHL announced yesterday.

For the second straight week, the Saint John Sea Dogs claim the top spot in the country. The Shawinigan Cataractes and the Quebec Remparts are the other two teams.

Saint John's 47-14-0-2 record has them in the number one spot. The mighty Sea Dogs have won 16 straight games.

The Cataractes sit a No. 4 with a 42-14-3-4 record. The 2012 Memorial Cup hosts are 7-2-1-0 in their past 10 games.

And last but not least, Patrick Roy's Quebec Remparts sit at the No. 8 spot with a 41-15-5-2 record. The Remparts are 9-1-0-0 in their past 10 games.

The Victoriaville Tigres were honourable mentions.

BMO CHL MasterCard Top 10 Rankings

1. Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL (47-14-0-2)
2. London Knights, OHL (45-16-0-1)
3. Portland Winterhawks, WHL (46-16-3-1)
4. Shawinigan Cataratces, QMJHL (42-14-3-4)
5. Tri-City Americans, WHL (46-17-1-2)
6. Plymouth Whalers, OHL (43-17-2-1)
7. Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL (44-15-3-4)
8. Quebec Remparts, QMJHL (41-15-5-2)
9. Kamloops Blazers, WHL (44-17-2-3)
10. Niagara Ice Dogs, OHL (42-17-0-3)

nolan@theqspot.ca

Reid on the Rocket: Rocket snap slump with big win over Wildcats

Josh Currie's early third period goal lifted the Rocket to a 5-3 win over the Moncton Wildcats Tuesday night at the Charlottetown Civic Centre.

For the sixth time in seven games this season, the Rocket have beaten the Wildcats. The win also snapped a 10-game losing streak for P.E.I. and improved to 18-40-2-3 on the season.

Ben Duffy led the way for the Rocket scoring two goals and adding an assist. He said it was huge to snap the losing streak.

"Especially right before going into the Cape, the two biggest games of the season coming up. "

The success against the Wildcats this year has been thanks to rivalry the two teams have, said Duffy.

"Come time to play them we never want to lose and I think that's why we battle so hard to make sure we get those two points every game."

A lot of positives came out of the win, said Duffy.

"We played a full 60 minutes and stuck to our game plan…and that's what we got to do for the rest of the season."

Moncton opened the scoring with Allain Saulnier's 25th goal of the season at 12:27 of the first period.

It didn't take the Rocket long to respond as Louick Marcotte potted home his 11th of the season at 13:22 to tie the game.

Ryan Penny gave the Wildcats a 2-1 lead at 17:40.

After a near scoreless second period, Duffy's goal with 22 seconds left in the period tied the game at two.

In the third period, Duffy scored 51 seconds in to give the Rocket a 3-2 lead with his 34th of the season before Currie's 25th of the season made it 4-2 at 4:08.

Patrick Delisle-Houde got the Wildcats within a goal with a powerplay marker at 7:09.

Jimmy Oligny capped off the scoring with an empty net goal at 19:07.

Maxime Lagace made 26 saves for the win in goal for P.E.I.

Roman Will took the loss for Moncton stopping 28 shots.

With five games left on the schedule, the Rocket are still battling for that last and final playoff spot.

"We have to stay positive and make sure we compete and work hard in practice and make sure were mentally and physically ready for every game," said Duffy.

The Rocket are back in action Friday and Saturday night with back-to-back games against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in Cape Breton.

Rocket return home for their final home game of the season Sunday March 18 at 4 p.m. against the Halifax Mooseheads.

Video Highlights


nolan@theqspot.ca

Hyka, Duclair and Marcoux named Telus three stars of the week

Tomas Hyka, Anthony Duclair and Etienne Marcoux were named the Telus three stars of the week, the QMJHL announced earlier today.

The week is the period spanning from Feb. 27 to March 4, 2012.

Tomas Hyka of the Gatineau Olympiques is the week's first star after potting a pair of goals and collecting nine points.

The 18-year-old Czech native was named third-star on Wednesday with a goal. On Friday he scored a goal and added a pair of assists in an overtime win over Drummondville. He was named second star of the game.

On Sunday, he collected four assists in an 8-2 win over Drummondville.

The week's second star is Quebec Remparts rookie Anthony Duclair. Duclair, 16, scored his 25th goal of the season on Wednesday in a 9-2 thumping over the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. He tallied three points in the game to be named the game's first star.

On Sunday, the Montreal, Que. native collected a goal and a pair of assists in a 4-2 win over the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

Duclair has 60 points on the season.

The third star of the week belongs to Etienne Marcoux of the Blainville-Boisbrian Armada.

On Friday he made 29 saves in a 6-2 win over the Baie-Comeau Drakkar then posted a shutout the next night against Chicoutimi.

He posted a 1.00 goals-against average and a 0.959 save percentage.

nolan@theqspot.ca

Power Rankings - March 3

Will the Sea Dogs ever lose again? We’ve seen their streak run to 16 games now with no end in sight. Everyone expected them to be good again, but I don’t know if any of us thought they’d be this good. Val d’Or may just be the hottest team outside of top tiered clubs and the Islands are still struggling.

#1 Saint John Sea Dogs (46-14-0-2) – Last week #1 - No change – Have increased their win streak to 16 games, the Sea Dogs are rolling at the right time. Can anyone shut down Huberdeau and company?

#2 Shawinigan Cataractes (41-14-3-4) – Last week #4 – No change – Have lost two of their last three games, most recently a 5-4 decision against Chicoutimi. It was their first loss to the Sagueneens in seven games this season.

#3 Quebec Remparts (40-15-5-2) – Last week #4 - Up one spot- Have won six straight are 8-2 in their last 10 games with four shutouts. They’ve allowed one goal or less in six of those last 10. Leading rookie scorer Mikhail Grigorenko has seven goals and 10 points during Quebec’s six game winning streak.

#4 Halifax Mooseheads (35-20-2-4)– Last week #5 – Up one spot - Friday night’s loss to Rouyn-Noranda marks the Mooseheads first loss to a team below them in the standings since a 2-1 shootout loss in Baie Comeau on Feb. 8.

#5 Victoriaville Tigres (38-18-1-4) – Last week #3 – Down two spots- Have lost three of their last five games. Both wins were by a single goal. Two of their three losses were to Quebec and Halifax.

#6 Chicoutimi Sagueneens (32-20-3-6) – Last week #6 – No change – Beat Shawinigan for the first time this season for their third straight win.

#7 Rimouski Oceanic (38-23-1-0) – Last week #7 – No change – Have four straight wins since Cape Breton snapped their overtime winning streak . They’ve scored 27 goals in those four games.

#8 Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (34-22-3-2) –Last week #8 – No change – Have been playing good hockey as of late, collecting points in eight of their past ten games, including six wins.

#9 Acadie-Bathurst Titan (29-28-2-3)- Last week #10 – Up one spot – The Titan continue to confuse. They’ve won two of their last three, beating Cape Breton twice while losing to Baie-Comeau. As usual, everyone expects much more from a team who boasts two of the leagues top three scorers.

#10 Moncton Wildcats (27-28-3-3) – Last week #9 - Down one spot – Have lost five straight games, but it’s hard to hold that against them. They’ve played Saint John and Quebec twice in that span. At least they only had to play Shawinigan once. The Wildcats were shutout three times in those five games.

#11 Val d’Or Foreurs (28-30-0-5)- Last week #14 – Up three spots - Val d’Or could be dark horse for a first round upset. They’ve won five straight games and have a couple of streaking wingers. Benjamin Casavant has 16 points in his ongoing 11 game point streak while Anthony Mantha has 14 points in eight games.

#12 Baie-Comeau Drakkar (28-29-1-4)- Last week #12 – No change – Th eDrakkar have lost four of their last five giving up 30 goals in that span.

#13 Gatineau Olympiques (24-28-4-5)-Last week #13 – No change- Needed a shootout to snap a four game losing streak Friday night against Drummondville.

#14 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (21-34-4-3)- Last week #11- Up one spot- Have collected points in four straight games. Chased rookie standout Zachary Fucale in a 5-2 win of the fourth ranked Halifax Mooseheads on Friday night.

#15 Drummondville Voltigeurs (25-28-2-7)- Last week #11- Down four spots- In their last six games they’ve lost to Val d’Or, Gatineau, and twice to Rouyn-Noranda. Needless to say they are slumping.

#16 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (21-38-1-2) – Last week #17- Up one spot- Have lost six in a row starting with their 10-1 loss to Rimouski. Things are better than in P.E.I, but not by much. Have given up 41 goals in their six losses.

#17 P.E.I Rocket(17-40-2-2)- Last week # 16 – Down one spot – Have now lost nine in a row. Fortunately Rocket fans are seeing lots of goals this season. Unfortunately they are going in the wrong net. The Rocket are the lowest scoring team in the Q right now, while also giving up the most goals. Not a lot of positives on the Islands right now.

The power rankings take a break next week as I enjoy mojitos and sunny beaches. Check back March 15 for the penultimate edition of the 2012 Q Spot power rankings.

Reid on the Rocket: Titan edge Rocket in shootout

The Acadie-Bathurst Titan used a shootout to get by the P.E.I. Rocket, 4-3, Sunday afternoon at the Charlottetown Civic Centre.

The loss for the Rocket keeps them in the league's basement with a 17-40-2-3 record for 39 points. It was also the ninth straight loss for the Rocket, but collected their first point in nine games.

Alex Noel, who scored a goal for the Rocket, said the team battled hard for two periods, but could have played better in the third period.

"We could have came out with two points there, got one, it's better than nothing but we should have performed better in the third period."

Noel's goal gave the Rocket a 3-2 lead with less than a minute to go in the second period but it wouldn't be enough as Bathurst's Mirko Hoefflin tied the game with 2:54 left in the third period. Bathurst then scored twice in the shootout and the Rocket were shutout.

It's never fun to lose like that, said Noel.

"We were playing pretty good all game, pops our bubble a little bit. We just got to forget about it and focus on the Moncton game on Tuesday."

The Titan opened the scoring with Zach O'Brien's league-leading 50th goal of the season just 2:19 into the first period.

Josh Currie tied the game at one with this 23rd goal of the season at 11:02. Jimmy Oligny and Victor Provencher drew the assists.

In the second period, Olivier Croteau's 13th goal of the season put the Rocket up by a score of 2-1 on the powerplay at 6:22.

Hoefflin scored his first of the game to tie the game at two for the Titan at 9:59.

Noel's ninth of the season gave the Rocket a 3-2 lead at 19:06.

In the third period, Hoefflin tied the game for Bathurst to send the game to overtime and eventually to the shootout.

O'Brien and Sebastien Trudeau scored for Bathurst in the shootout, as Jessyko Bernard and Louick Marcotte were held scoreless.

Maxime Lagace made 27 saves in net for the Rocket.

Jacob Brennan made 28 saves to pick up the win for Bathurst.

The Rocket host the Moncton Wildcats on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. It is also the last ticket redemption night for the season.

Video Highlights


nolan@theqspot.ca

Gauthier signs with Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Danick Gauthier to a three-year contract, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced today.

Gauthier, 6-2, 201 pounds, has played in 59 games with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, recording 41 goals and 72 points, to go along with a plus-35 rating. He ranks second in the QMJHL in goals and is tied for 12th in points. Gauthier has recorded four hat-tricks this season and also leads the Sea Dogs with 11 power-play goals.

The Repentigny, Que. native has skated in 212 career games in the QMJHL with the Sea Dogs and Shawinigan Cataractes, posting 70 goals and 132 points, to go along with 219 penalty minutes. Gauthier was a member of the 2009-10 Sea Dogs team that won the Memorial Cup.

Coyle signs three-year deal with Wild

The Minnesota Wild on signed 2010 first-round pick Charlie Coyle to a three-year, entry level contract., the team announced Thursday. No financial terms were disclosed.

The East Weymouth, Mass., native started this season as a sophomore at Boston University. But after representing the United States for the second straight year at the World Junior Championship, Coyle joined the defending Memorial Cup-winning Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he's played on the same line with fellow Wild prospect Zack Phillips, who's sixth in the QMJHL in scoring.

Coyle and Phillips have been a potent tandem, with Coyle scoring 12 goals and adding 12 assists in just 16 games.

“Point-wise I think obviously we’re both doing pretty good and we’re winning so I think it’s working for everyone,” Coyle told the Wild's website of playing with Phillips. “I think we complement each other pretty good. Hopefully we stick together. I think we work well together."

Coyle had four goals in six games with Team U.S.A. at the World Juniors after going 3-11-14 in 16 games for Boston University.

Coyle was originally a first-round pick by San Jose, but was dealt to the Wild on draft day last June along with Devin Setoguchi and a first-round pick that turned out to be Phillips in exchange for defenseman Brent Burns.

Canadiens sign Morgan Ellis to entry-level deal

Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced today the signing of defenseman Morgan Ellis to a three-year contract (2012-13 to 2014-15). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

In 54 games with the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Shawinigan Cataractes, Ellis ranks tied for seventh among defensemen in the league with 46 points (13 goals and 33 assists). He ranks tied for fifth among league defensemen for goals (13). The 6-2 and 204-pound defenseman displays a +18 plus/minus differential and served 45 penalty minutes.

The 19-year-old Ellerslie, P.E.I., native has recorded 117 points (25 goals and 92 assists) in 231 games since his junior debut with Cape Breton in 2008-09. He was drafted in the fourth round, 117th overall by the Canadiens at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Ellis took part in his second training camp with the Canadiens in 2011, appearing in one preseason game. He was returned to the Screaming Eagles on Sept. 26.